Newcastle vs Aston Villa Pre-Match Thread - Wednesday, June 24th - 6pm

[manic-road]

0-2 Away win, on paper this could be one of our easiest games left so if we can't get 3 points against a boring Bruce side we are doomed.

[Drummond]

McGinn looked slow to me, which isn't a surprise really but we're running out of time to get him fit. Drinkwater was the same when he came in. We need players all over the pitch who are fit and capable.

I'd rest McGinn and play Luiz and Nakamba together.

            Nyland

Elmo Konsa Mings Targett

     Luiz Nakamba

AEG                   Grealish

     Samatta Davis

But then I'm not a manager and there isn't a chance in hell of that happening.

[Luke8]

McGinn looked slow to me, which isn't a surprise really but we're running out of time to get him fit. Drinkwater was the same when he came in. We need players all over the pitch who are fit and capable.

I'd rest McGinn and play Luiz and Nakamba together.

            Nyland

Elmo Konsa Mings Targett

     Luiz Nakamba

AEG                   Grealish

     Samatta Davis

But then I'm not a manager and there isn't a chance in hell of that happening.

Dean must be banking on just playing McGinn into fitness. There can’t have been any other way he was still on the pitch well into the second half on Sunday surely?

Also, and I appreciate plenty didn’t look great on Sunday, but Nakamba has been hopeless on the ball in both of his appearances since the restart so far. Benefit of hindsight obviously, but Sunday was the game for him. We’ll be better with Hourihane against Newcastle - plus his set pieces have provided the majority of our decent chances so far.

[chrisw1]

I think we have to play McGinn into fitness as it seems him hitting form is our only realistic chance of survival.  It may be resting him Wednesay is best all round if that suits his revovery, but if the fitness coaches think he'd be better with more minutes under his belt then he should be given them.

[Drummond]

I'd rest him, see how the game goes and bring him on if needed.

We can't afford passengers and he's done nothing of note (not that anyone else has really).

[AVH87]

I fancy us to win this 2-1. They are safe, there is no home advantage. If we play 4-3-3 like our lives depend on getting a result with Jack No.10 we will do this.

[Hookeysmith]

I think Bruce would want to win this more than the FA cup game TBH

Elmo in for Konsa - he might tighten up the back line but we have no attacking option down the right with him there. Samatta obviously can head a ball so we need some one to put whipping crosses in  - Elmo is probably the best at the club at this.

Mings - stop fucking about and posing with the ball - you will fuck up and it will cost us a goal. Remember the form that got you mentioned in England circles and start playing again.

Hologram - complete waste of space unless he scores - he is hardly getting over the half way line at present so he is pointless

McGinn - has been anon so far

Grealish - stop worrying about your stupid haircut and get back to playing - you are the Captain so lead by example - you have been anon as well  - at least McGinn has an excuse with his injury.

ElGhazi - if not scoring another who hides

I cannot believe that we have not even earned a booking in 2 games - get stuck in you feckers - our club deserves better effort than what you are serving up.

Smith - I love the bloke, I feel for him but time has ran out for excuses. Play 2 up top or at the very least get players running past the holding striker.

I don't expect to be gung ho and lose every game 4-5 but FFS have some courage and use the players to the best of their ability

All the good press and work you have done will count for fuck all if you name is next to our relegation

[Footy-Vill]

I have been advocating Grealish in middle and getting the ball.

However there are people suggesting his head isn't in it and I will add that I see him as more unfit that anything else .
If we are saying let's not be over reliant on him as he's underperforming then leave him out 1st half and see the others step up their responsibility.
That sort of move , maybe some see as maverick , would give us the boost if needed for him to come on start of 2nd half and also fool Newcastle not starting him.

That's never gonna happen as Smith sticks with him but taking 2 up top instead of Grealish could be a sort of decision that changes everything in a games where there is such short space of time to recover

We risk him being injured so resting him first half let him build up his hunger then throw him in second half whatever the score line. It also tells him he's got to step up

[Sexual Ealing]

There'sno chance of it happening, but I think there's something in that, footy.

[cdward]

I cannot believe that we have not even earned a booking in 2 games - get stuck in you feckers - our club deserves better effort than what you are serving up.

Not that it is a measure of effort, but we have picked up 3 bookings in those 2 games. Grealish and Konsa were booked against Chelsea, Luiz was booked against Sheff Utd.

[Nastylee]

Last chance saloon for me. With another 10 to 12 points needed, a loss here means we would need to do the near impossible.

[ez]

An improved performance will get us a 0-0.

[Legion]

Win or bust.

[Stu]

We have never done very well up there, I think. Then again, we haven't done well anywhere for ages.

[ChicagoLion]

Who is taking care os St Maximin? Playing Elmo would be an open invitation although I think he will enjoy running at Target.